Seasonal dock with self-stowing lifting device

ABSTRACT

A seasonal dock having a self-stowing lifting device having a mounting structure, a tower structure, and a platform structure, where the tower structure and platform structure are hinged to the mounting structure, and the tower structure stows inside the platform structure when not in use. The tower structure is about 80% of the length of the platform structure. In operation, cables are attached from the platform structure to the tower structure such that they are at about 45 degrees to each other, and another cable is attached from the tower structure to a winch.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention.

The invention relates to boat docks that are capable of being taken outof the water for off-season storage.

2. Description of the Related Art.

In many parts of the world, boating is a seasonal activity. Winterstorms and freezing waters make it desirable to take boat docks out ofthe water to prevent damage. However, because of their shape and weight,docks are difficult to handle.

Some dock owners have floating docks. These docks must be dragged ontoshore for storage, where they take up valuable yard space. Docks that donot float must typically be lifted out of the water for storage. Withnon-floating docks, the owner must get into the cold water every autumnto disassemble the dock by hand and haul it onto shore.

Also in the prior art, docks that are hinged at the shore end could behoisted out of the water, but owners have had to locate their docks neara standing structure, like a tree. The owner passes a cable over apulley attached to a tree, and attaches the end of the cable to the endof the dock. With the other end of the cable, the owner hoists the dockout of the water. The shortcoming of this procedure is that one can onlyplace a dock near trees or other structures on shore.

If a dock was provided with a pole or other lifting structure to helplift the dock, the pole would have to be stored somewhere near the dock.It would take up valuable shoreline space if stored nearby. What isneeded, therefore, is a seasonal dock that can be hoisted out of thewater without the need to get wet, and having a lifting device that canbe stowed within the dock itself.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to satisfying the need for a seasonaldock that can be hoisted out of the water with a self-stowing liftingdevice. A dock having the features of the present invention comprises amounting structure secured to land near a shoreline, a tower structurehingedly secured to the mounting structure, a platform structurehingedly secured to the mounting structure, and the platform structurehaving a recess capable of receiving substantially all of the towerstructure. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of thepresent invention will become better understood with regard to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a tower structure assembled to an upper platformstructure.

FIG. 2 shows the details of a tower structure according to the preferredembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a lower platform structure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a mounting structure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting structure of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the upper and lower platform structure andtower structure assembled.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper and lower platform structure, towerstructure, tie posts, hinge, and decking installed.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the invention in operation, lifting a dock outof the water.

DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dock assembly of the present invention ismade of several components. Looking down at the assembly as in thefigures, a tower structure 20 when being stored lies in a recess in theupper platform structure 14 suitably adapted to receive substantiallyall of the tower structure 20. Details of the upper platform bracing areshown as examples of the preferred embodiment. The tower 20 has a shoreend 23 that is nearest the shore when in use. The tower also has a lakeend 18 that is furthest away from the shore when in use. Likewise, theupper platform 14 has a shore end 22 and a lake end 12.

The structural members forming the outside perimeter of the upperplatform 14 are preferably about as thick as the structural members ofthe tower 20. Much of the bracing attached to the upper platform isattached underneath the perimeter members. The perimeter members and thebracing in this manner form the recess that is capable of receiving andstoring the tower 20.

The tower 20 is shown to be about 80% of the length of the upperplatform 14. One reason for this ratio is that it is desirable tocompletely enclose the tower 20 from view when not in use for betteraesthetic qualities. This configuration also provides structural supportfor decking. It would be undesirable to extend the tower lake end 18past the lake end 12 of the upper platform 14 because it could interferewith boat handling and safety. Therefore, the length of the tower shouldbe less than 100% of the length of the upper platform.

The tower 20 must be long enough, however, to provide sufficientmechanical advantage for lifting the dock out of the water. Thepreferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 describe an upper platformstructure 14 than can be manufactured in five segments. It has beenshown that the tower is long enough to provide sufficient mechanicaladvantage if its length extends over four of the five segments, or about80%, so that a cable attached near the lake end 18 of the tower 20 canalso be attached near the end of the fourth segment of a five segmentplatform. It is conceivable that a tower could be constructed thatprovides sufficient mechanical advantage even if it passes over only thethird segment, giving a length of about 60% of the upper platform. Note,however, these percentages are not exact. The shore end 23 of the towerstructure 20 need not be exactly co-linear or coaxial with the shore end22 of the upper platform structure 14. The shore ends could be staggeredif desired.

FIG. 2 shows details of the tower structure 20. In the preferredembodiment, the tower structure is an A-frame. The A-frame is mostsuitable because it is light and rigid. It is shown with bracketing, butcan be provided with other bracketing or no brackets at all. The towerstructure 20 could be a pole, a rectangular structure, a trapezoidalstructure, or any other structure capable of withstanding the forces oflifting a dock and being stored within the platform.

FIG. 3 provided details of a platform lower structure 24. The preferredembodiment as shown is shorter than the upper platform 14, although itcould be the same or different lengths. The tower structure 20, upperplatform 14, and lower platform 24 are preferably made from welded type6063 aluminum box tubing, although other materials may be used.

To the lower platform 24 are attached lifting eyes 16 secured to thelower platform 24 for attaching one end of a cable or rope, not shown.The other end of the cable is attached near the lake end 18 of the towerstructure 20 shown in FIG. 1. It is important that the lake end 18 ofthe tower 20 be near the eyes 16 for providing maximum mechanicaladvantage when hoisting the dock out of the water. It is not necessarythat two eyes are provided, as long as at least one point of attachmentis provided. Instead of lifting eyes as such, a hole or holes in thelower platform structure could be provided to perform the same functionin the same way. Nor is it necessary that the lifting eyes be providedwhere shown, although it will be realized that this configurationprovides the maximum mechanical advantage when in operation.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the top view and side view respectively of thepreferred embodiment mounting structure 26, comprising a mounting plate28 and two or four ears 30. The mounting plate 28 preferably is made ofa half inch thick by six inches wide by the width of the dock platematerial. The ears 30 are preferably a half inch by four inches wide byfive inches high, and rounded. The ears 30 are preferably attachedsubstantially perpendicular to the mounting plate 28 and are aligned andspaced to form a hinge structure with the tower structure 20 and upperplatform structure 14. The ears 30 preferably have about one inchdiameter holes made about one and a half inches from the top of the earto the center of the hole. It is understood that hinge structures arenot a required feature of the invention, since it is known by personshaving skill in the art that other structures and elements are capableof pivoting the end of the upper platform and tower.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the upper platform structure 14 and lowerplatform structure 24 and tower structure 20 assembled. Since the lowerplatform 24 is shorter than the upper platform 14, additional membersshould be provided to connect them at their shore ends as shown as theangled members. In this way, the upper platform is more nearly co-planerwith the shore surface, which makes walking easier, and at the same thelower platform 24 clears the shore. The hinge means 32 can be anystructure, such as a hinge, that will cause the dock to pivot.

Sets of double supports 34 are preferably provided where each of thesections join to secure the upper platform 14 to the lower platform 24.The locations of the supports 34 are also where tie posts will besecured. Note that in the preferred embodiment the lake end of the tower20 projects to a point 38 slightly beyond one of the supports 34. Acable from the platform to the tower is not shown. It is understood thata suitable cable or rope means may be provided either by a dockmanufacturer or by the ultimate user.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a nearly complete invention in operation asa dock. All the elements of FIG. 6 are shown with several additions.Five sets of tie posts 42 are provided, that are mounted substantiallyperpendicular to the dock. They are sized so that the platform structureis substantially horizontal over the water when the posts are supportingthem from the bottom of a lake or other body of water. The towerstructure 20 and upper platform structure 14 are shown hingedly attachedto the mounting structure 26. Also, decking 44 is provided for coveringthe upper platform 14 with the tower structure 20 is disposed within itsrecess. Preferably decking 44 is provided in removable sections, and isframed by pressure treated two by four inch boards cut to three inchesin height and secured to stringers, although other materials can beused. The decking itself is six inch wide pressure treated wood, cedar,or other suitable material.

Although FIG. 7 shows the tower structure 20 and platform structurespreferably coaxially hingedly secured to the mounting structure 26, theyneed not be. They can be staggered or secured to each other in differentways.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention in operation while the dock is being raised. The mountingstructure 26 is mounted to the shore 50. At least one cable 46 issecured from the lake end of the tower 20 to the eyes 16 on the lowerplatform 24. Another cable 48 is secured from the lake end of the tower20 to a winch 54 or other hoisting device. The cables may be provided asone or more cables. Cable 46 may be split either at the tower 20 orbelow into a “Y” or “V” so that a cable attaches to eyes 16 on eitherside of the lower platform 24. The maximum size of cable is about ¼ inchwire rope.

The winch 54 can be hand-operated or electric, preferably with a liftingrange of around 2800 to 3200 pounds. The winch 54 can be mounted alongthe centerline of the dock about three feet off the ground. Thepreferred minimum distance from the dock is about 21 feet for a 6 footby 30 foot dock, provided the shore is level and nearly at the level ofthe water. Otherwise the distance will differ depending upon localterrain. The figure clearly shows the great mechanical advantage that isattained by using this invention to raise the dock away from the water52.

The 6 foot by 30 foot dock is the most popular version, and the upperdeck can be made preferably of five segments, or zones, of about sixfeet in length. In the preferred embodiment, the dock assembly ismanufactured as an integral structure and not in modular sections. Othersizes are 4×18, 4×24, and 6×40 feet. Still other sizes can be made, aslong as the 80% ratio is approximately maintained. In all cases, thetower structure 20 is about 80% of the length of the dock.

To manufacture the dock of the preferred embodiment, one uses 6063aluminum box tubing, having a wall thickness of ⅛ inch. All flat plateused is 6061 aluminum. The bottom run of the lower platform 24 is 24feet of 2×2 inch aluminum tubing. Place them approximately six feetapart. Weld in place vertical supports 34 that are 13 inches long of 2×2inch tubing, placed in pairs {fraction (9/16)} inch apart at six footintervals along the length of the sides. Top that with 30 feet of 2×3inch box tubing welded in place to start forming the upper platformstructure 14. Connect the sides of the lower platform 24 by welding 67inches long 2×2 inch box tubing crosspieces in place starting at thelake end, aligning each with the pairs of supports 34 in the sides. Whenplacing the crosspieces in the upper platform structure, be sure toalign them with the lake side support in each of the pairs as well asthe corresponding bottom crosspieces. The top crosspieces must bedropped down three inches to sit flush with the bottom of the side railsin order to allow room for the self-stowing A-frame tower structure 20to rest within the platform structure. The only exception concerning thecrosspieces is that both end pieces are of 2×3 inch box tubing, not 2×2inch, to match the existing upper 2×3 inch side rail; the shore endcrosspiece is set in 16 inches from the end; and the lake end crosspieceis, of course, not dropped down, but set even with the side rails tocomplete the box shape.

The shore end angle is cut to complete the side of the frame. To attachthe 2×3 inch box tubing, make an 11 degree cut to attach the lower endof the frame, which is six feet in from the end of the upper platform.The top angle is determined by marking in place. Cut, then weld inplace.

The lower level corner bracing is 2×3 inch box tubing with ends cut at45 degree angles, the long side of which is 20 inches, welding intoplace at every corner, 16 in total. Also, at the third and fourthcrosspieces, weld in place a ½ by 1 by 5 inch piece of flat bar cut at a45 degree angle on each side of the dock, attaching to the bottom siderail and the shore side upright. These are to attach the cables for theA-frame at the fourth crosspiece.

The upper platform 14 corner bracing is ¼×3 inch aluminum flat bar cutat 45 degree angles, the long side of which is 16 inches. Starting atthe shore end, the bracing is placed on the shore side of the secondcrosspiece, none on the lake side. The third and fourth crosspieces havebracing on both sides and the fifth has bracing only on the lake side.No bracing is provided at the last crosspiece.

Attach two six foot lengths of 2×3 inch box tubing, evenly spaced acrossthe width of the dock. One end is resting on top of the fifthcrosspiece, welded into place, with the other end butted and welded tothe end crosspiece.

As was mentioned before, the tower structure 20 is preferably anA-frame, and is preferably about 80% of the length of the dock it is tolift. For example, a 6×30 foot dock would require a 24 foot A-frame. Itis also constructed of 2×3 inch aluminum box tubing, and the width ofthe shore end is such that there is a 1⅝ inch gap on either side betweenthe A-frame and the dock. The lake ends butts together at the end.

Cap the butted tip with ½×3×5 plate, which should overlap ½ inch on eachside. Attach a piece of ½×3×3 inch plate with two {fraction (7/16)} inchholes evenly spaced down its center to the cap, sticking straight outfrom the end.

Crosspieces are placed every six feet and are set back sufficiently soas not to rest on the crosspieces of the underlying dock. Thiseliminates the need to grind down the bottom welds, which would weakenthem. Ears are attached to the A-frame in the same manner as to the dockitself. Note that the ears have to be placed so as to be square to thematching ears on the dock to which it will be fitted.

Cables may be provided, as mentioned above. A 15 foot piece of cablewith ⅜ inch shackles on each end hooks onto each side of the dock atears on the lower platform. A 17 foot piece, also with ⅜ inch shackleson each end, attaches to the lower of the {fraction (7/16)} inch holesin the lake end of the A-frame and the other end hooks to the 15 footcable on the dock, forming a “Y”.

While the “Y” configuration works, the preferred configuration is to usetwo cables of equal length attached in a “V” configuration. Both cablesmay be attached by a shackle attached to the lake end of the A-frame andthe other ends to either side of the platform. The cable length for the“V” configuration would be between about 20 and 24 feet. The length ofthe cable from the A-frame to the winch is determined at the site, basedon the distance from the winch to the dock. This cable is attached tothe A-frame at the top {fraction (7/16)} inch hole at the top of theA-frame.

The procedure for installation of the preferred embodiment follows. Thedock and the A-frame 20 must be secured to land 50 by attaching them tothe mounting structure 26. If the mounting structure is mountedhorizontally to the shore, it is typically at a height of 18 inchesabove normal lake level, although it can be different to suit the user'spreferences. It it is mounted vertically, the height should be about 24inches. To install, the dock must be put in place in the water 52, usingsome type of floatation sufficient to aid in attaching the mounting tothe mounting structure and subsequent leveling of the dock. The dock andthe tower structure are independently bolted to the mounting structureusing a total of four bolts and nuts and eight washers. Once the dock issecured to the shore and leveled, the tie posts made of 4×6 inchpressure treated wood, or equivalent, can be installed. The lengths ofthe tie posts are determined by the depth of the water at theirlocations, plus sufficient length to achieve a height of a minimum of 36inches above the deck of the dock. Prior to installing the decking,remove and store the cables for the boating season.

To raise and secure the dock of the preferred embodiment for winterstorage, first remove the deck panels. Attach a cable 48 from the winch54 to the A-frame tower structure 20, and the two cables 46 to form the“Y” shape from the A-frame to the dock. Alternatively, one could form a“V” shape as described above. When cranking the dock up, once the towerstructure reaches a 45 degree angle, the cables from the tower structuremust be taut. If they are not, adjust the 17 foot section of cableaccordingly. Continue cranking the winch 54 until the tower structure isabout 90 degrees to the water. The dock should then be about 45 degreesto the water. To prevent lateral motion, guide cables may be attached toeither side of the dock at the attachment eyes 16 and secured to theshore 50.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be thepreferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore,intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A seasonal dock assembly comprising a mounting structuresecured to land near a shoreline, a tower structure having a shore endand a lake end opposite the shore end, said lower structure adapted tobe hingedly secured at the shore end to the mounting structure, and aplatform structure comprising a top surface, a shore end, and a lake endopposite the shore end, said platform structure adapted to be hingedlysecured at the shore end to the mounting structure, and said platformstructure top surface comprising a recess that is suitably adapted forreceiving substantially all of the tower structure within its volumewhen the tower structure is not in use.
 2. The seasonal dock assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said tower structure and said platform structure areadapted to be coaxially hingedly secured to the mounting structure. 3.The seasonal dock assembly of claim 1 wherein said tower structure isadapted to be hingedly secured to said platform assembly near theplatform assembly shore end.
 4. The seasonal dock assembly of claim 1wherein said tower structure comprises an A-frame.
 5. The seasonal dockassembly of claim 1 wherein said tower structure comprises a rectangulartruss structure.
 6. The seasonal dock assembly of claim 1 wherein saidtower structure comprises a trapezoidal truss structure.
 7. The seasonaldock assembly of claim 1 wherein said tower structure comprises a polestructure.
 8. The seasonal dock assembly of claim 1 wherein the lengthof the tower structure from the shore end to the lake end is about 80%of the length of the platform structure from the shore end to the lakeend.
 9. The seasonal dock assembly of claim 1 wherein said platformstructure comprises a two-level frame suitably adapted to providesufficient strength, corrosion resistance, and rigidity with a minimumof weight for use as a seasonal dock.
 10. The seasonal dock assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said platform structure and tower structure are made ofaluminum box tubing.
 11. The seasonal dock assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising at least two tie posts secured substantially perpendicular tothe top surface of the platform structure and suitably adapted so that,when in use, the tie posts support the weight of the platform structureand the top surface is substantially parallel to a water surface. 12.The seasonal dock assembly of claim 1, further comprising a deckingstructure removably secured to said platform structure top, and surfacesuitably adapted to enable a user to walk from the platform structureshore end to the platform structure lake end.
 13. A seasonal dockassembly comprising a mounting means for securing a dock assembly near ashoreline, a platform structure comprising a top surface, a shore end,and a lake end opposite the shore end, said platform structure adaptedto be hingedly secured at the shore end to the mounting means, and atower structure comprising a shore end and a lake end opposite the shoreend, said tower structure adapted to be hingedly secured at the shoreend to the mounting means coaxially with the platform structure, andbeing about 80% the length of the platform structure from the shore endto the lake end, said platform structure having a recess suitablyadapted to receive substantially all of the tower structure when not inuse, at least two tie posts secured perpendicularly to the top surfaceof the platform structure and suitably adapted so that, when in use, thetie posts support the weight of the platform structure and the topsurface is substantially parallel to a water surface. at least one dockcable with two ends, the first end secured to the lake end of the towerand the second end secured to platform structure near the recess portionthat is nearest the platform lake end, at least one shore cable securednear the lake end of the tower structure, and being suitably sized forreaching the land near the shoreline and suitably adapted for pullingthe tower structure and platform structure lake end upward for storagewhen the dock assembly is not in use, and at least one hoisting means tohoist the dock assembly out of the water by pulling on the shore cable.14. In a seasonal dock assembly having a mounting structure secured toland near a shoreline; a platform structure having a lake end and ashore end opposite the lake end, the platform structure adapted to behingedly secured by the shore end to the mounting structure; and a cableattached near the platform structure lake end; the improvementcomprising a tower structure having a lake end and a shore end oppositethe lake end, the tower structure adapted to be hingedly secured at theshore end to the mounting structure and being about 80% of the length ofthe platform structure, and a recess in said top platform structuresuitably adapted to receive substantially all of the tower structurewhen the tower structure is not in operation, such that a cable can beattached near the platform structure lake end and tower structure lakeend to raise the dock.
 15. The dock assembly of claim 14, wherein saidtower structure comprises an A-frame.
 16. The dock assembly of claim 14,wherein the length of the tower structure from the shore end to the lakeend is about 80% of the length of the platform structure from the shoreend to the lake end.
 17. The dock assembly of claim 14, wherein saidplatform structure comprises a two-level frame suitably adapted toprovide sufficient strength, corrosion resistance, and rigidity with aminimum of weight for use as a seasonal dock.
 18. The dock assembly ofclaim 14, wherein said platform structure and tower structure are madeof aluminum box tubing.
 19. The seasonal dock assembly of claim 14,further comprising at least two tie posts secured substantiallyperpendicular to a top surface of the platform structure and suitablyadapted so that, when in use, the tie posts support the weight of theplatform structure and the top surface is substantially parallel to awater surface.